Dog owner not taking chance with jerky treats

With the FDA’s warning to dog owners about Chinese-made chicken treats that have sickened pets, Houston pet owner Tom Blakeman said he’s not about to take a chance when it comes to his 12-year-old miniature dachshund, Hot Dog.

“I used to not think it mattered much what brand or type food you gave your dog,” he said. “Now I know better. One needs to be just as picky about what you feed your dog as what you feed yourself. Not all of the hundreds of products out there are equal.”

The Federal Food and Drug Administration has reported about 900 illnesses and deaths since November, when it warned dog owners about problems with chicken jerky products.

The three top brands most recently cited in the reports include Waggin’ Trail and Canyon Creek Ranch, produced by Nestle Purina PetCare Co.; and Milo’s Kitchen Home-Style dog treats, produced by the Del Monte Corp.

Most pet stores in the Houston area still carry the products, so dog owners should be informed when buying the treats. Anyone who has any problems may call the FDA’s 24-hour emergency line at 301- 443-1240.

We are pet parents too and we understand that the information that has been released regarding the FDA warning about chicken jerky made in China is confusing and concerning. We want to provide reassurance that Milo’s Kitchen Chicken Jerky treats have not been recalled nor are being recalled. The current FDA warning regarding chicken jerky is not associated with any particular brand and to date the FDA and other agencies have been unable to identify any definitive cause or connection between any illness and the treats in question. Additionally, despite extensive testing, no contaminants have ever been found.

Purina spokesman Keith Schopp said the company stands by its products, “which are safe to feed as directed. Millions of dogs enjoy our chicken jerky treats every year. The safety and quality of our products are our top priorities.”

Extensive testing by the FDA indicates no contaminants “and no definitive cause for pet illness,” Schopp said. “Any time a consumer has a question about our products they should contact us. The contact information is on the package.”

There are no plans to pull the product from shelves, Schopp said.

In the November 2011 advisory, the FDA warned consumers who feed their dogs chicken jerky products to ‘watch their dogs closely for any of the following signs that may occur within hours to days of feeding the products: decreased appetite; decreased activity; vomiting; diarrhea, sometimes with blood; increased water consumption and/or increased urination.

If the dog shows any of these signs, owners should stop feeding the product and consult their veterinarian if signs are severe or persist for more than 24 hours, according to the advisory.

Blakeman, whose pooch Hop Dog suffers from a host of medical ailments, said his dog won’t be getting the chicken jerky treats any time soon.

“I’ve got a sick dog and he’s got several problems,” he said. “He eats like a horse and he doesn’t gain weight” because of problems with his pancreas.

“You go to the store and you see these things that are jerky, and some of them look so good you want to eat them yourself,” Blakeman said. “Going forward, knowing what I know about my dog and food, I’m going to be real careful about what I give Hot Dog, whether it’s a treat or food or whatever.”